INNOVATIONS in pharmacy

Impact of Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Management in Primary Care Clinics

Benjamin Pontefract

Benjamin S. King

MetroHealth Medical Center

Cynthia A. King

MetroHealth Medical Center, Northeast Ohio College of Medicine

David M Gothard

Biostats Inc.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v9i2.985

Keywords: ambulatory, diabetes, HbA1c, pharmacist, revenue, satisfaction

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Abstract

Purpose: Current literature supports that pharmacists effectively lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in diabetic patients. Little data exists on pharmacists’ effects on comorbidity management, patient satisfaction, or financial viability of these positions. This study looked to assess the impact of pharmacists on diabetes management compared to usual care.

Methods: This multi-site, two-part study includes a retrospective chart review of patients referred to the pharmacist versus usual care within a large academic health system. The pharmacists collaborated under a consult agreement with primary care physicians. The second part of the study assessed patient satisfaction through an abbreviated CG-CAHPS survey.

Results:A total of 206 patients with diabetes for an average of 12 years were included. The average patient age was 62 years with 60% of patients identifying as female and 81% as African-American. Patients were enrolled in a 2:1 fashion with 138 patients in the intervention group. Average baseline HbA1c was 10.1% in the intervention group and 9.3% in the control group (p= 0.0125). At 6 months, the mean change in HbA1c was -2.17% and 0.48% for the intervention and control groups respectively (p

Conclusion: Pharmacists are effective at lowering HbA1c in primary care clinics, and patients were highly satisfied with these services. While direct revenue from this service did not meet cost, the pharmacist did positively affect outcomes that contribute to reimbursement.

Treatment of Human Subjects: IRB review/approval required and obtained

 

Type: Original Research

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Author Biography

Cynthia A. King, MetroHealth Medical Center, Northeast Ohio College of Medicine

cbrucato@metrohealth.org